Pepperdine University
Soller II, ca. 2010
Powder coated steel sculpture
24 × 13 × 9 in
61 × 33 × 22.9 cm
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art announces the installation of a new outdoor sculpture by Betty Gold. Soller II to be dedicated at Pepperdine University on March 16
Venice, California, artist Betty Gold has created a new outdoor sculpture specifically for Pepperdine University. It will be installed on Wednesday, February 26, 2003, in the Ahmanson Fine Arts Center Palm Court adjacent to the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, and dedicated on Sunday, March 16, at 2:00 P.M.
The abstract steel sculpture is titled Soller II and named for its place of conception in Soller, Mallorca, Spain. Consisting of interlocking triangular shapes, it rises to an inspiring 10 feet tall. It is painted bright yellow, constructed of plate steel, and weighs 1200 pounds.
Dr. Michael Zakian, director of the Weisman Museum, helped to select the work. He said, "This sculpture is a great addition to the campus. The lines of Soller II mirror the angles of Pepperdine's architecture perfectly. Since it is yellow, the color augments the light cream of the surrounding buildings. It will create a colorful focal point for the Weisman Museum, Smothers Theatre, and Cultural Arts Center at Pepperdine University."
Betty Gold has been a professional sculptor for more than 30 years. She was born in Austin, Texas, and studied at the University of Texas. She had her first art exhibition in 1971. In 1977 she moved to California and established her current studio in Venice in 1985. Today she is regarded as an important part of the Los Angeles contemporary art scene.
Gold has examples of outdoor sculpture permanently installed at Baylor University, Duke University, Ronald Regan California State Building, and many other institutions. Museums that own examples of her art include the Palm Springs Desert Museum, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Albuquerque Art Museum, and Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid. In 2002 she created a major sculpture commissioned for the United States Embassy in Slovakia. Although she is known primarily as a sculptor, she works in many media, including painting, drawing, silkscreen, tapestry, and jewelry design.
Soller II is being donated to Pepperdine by Mr. and Mrs. David Chatkin of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. The sculpture was fabricated by the artist at M & S Metals in Gardena.
For more information on the sculpture's dedication, interested persons are asked to call Dr. Zakian at (310) 506-7257.
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